JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Rick from Jacksonville

Are we really done in free agency? Pleeeease say we're not done. Not with this many holes in the lineup. And can you please remind me who we've signed. I don't really want to know. It just seems it weirdly bothers some people when you tell us.

I don't know that the Jaguars are "done in free agency" in the sense that they won't sign another free agent this offseason, but – as I've written here previously – the Jaguars indeed are done when it comes to trying to accomplish their free-agency objective. That objective was to raise the floor of the roster and enter the 2025 NFL Draft with what they felt as if were legitimate NFL starters at essentially all positions. Toward that end, they have signed the following 10 free agents so far this offseason: Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Chuma Edoga, Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey, Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Fred Johnson, Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis, Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, Baltimore Ravens guard Patrick Mekari, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens, Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt and Houston Texans safety Eric Murray. And you know what? It still feels better than it feels bad. What better reason to do anything?

David from Jacksonville

It just occurred to me that all of these offseason moves and all of the coaching and general manager hies are really meaningless if it's all about T-Law.

If that just occurred to you then you're just coming around to reality – because while it's extreme to say all other than quarterback Trevor Lawrence is meaningless it's not at all extreme to say his development dwarfs all other storyline. Yes, Head Coach Liam Coen and General Manager James Gladstone appear to be good hires. Yes, the recent free-agent moves appear to have solidified some roster spots. And yes, players such as wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen are front-line players. But Lawrence must be healthier than he was last season and he most play better than he did last season when healthy. The thought here is the Jaguars can improve dramatically from their 4-13 finish last season – and perhaps even contend in winnable AFC South. But such an improvement requires Lawrence to show the strides he hasn't shown often enough in four previous seasons. That's the storyline of storylines around the Jaguars' 2025 season.

William from Jacksonville Beach, FL

What's your way-too-early prediction for the Jaguars' running game next season? Who starts? How many yards do they get?

I expect the Jaguars' running offense to improve next season, and I expect Tank Bigsby to be the starter with he and Travis Etienne Jr. both playing extensively. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Jaguars select a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft who can contribute as a rookie. I'm not good at predicting yardage totals. But an improved running game would look like this: A few really, really productive games with impressive yardage totals in which the Jaguars ran effectively and extended a second-half lead. Multiple games in which the Jaguars are able to drain clock by running for a first down or two. Better reliability in short-yardage. If the Jaguars' become that sort of running offense, they'll also become a better play-action team. And a much better offense overall.

Brad from The Avenues

Hey John, I was just watching Thursday's Happy Hour, and I started thinking again about who could replace Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli on Monday's show and it dawned on me. Tom Coughlin. If fans loved the heat between Pete Prisco and Tony, just imagine. Right, RIGHT?

The Jaguars are still working through the lineup for Happy Hour in the fall. I'm not expecting this to be the lineup, though I would click on it. No doubt.

Stan from Jacksonville

If the combination of Arik Armstead and potential draft pick Mason Graham can approach the dominance that we saw with John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, the Graham's selection would be a "no brainer." Would you think the risk is worth the gamble since Armstead appears to be headed back to the interior?

A few thoughts here. One thought is that asking any tackle combination to approach the dominance of Henderson and Stroud in their primes is a big ask; that combination and a strong running game allowed the Jaguars to be perennial postseason contenders for a stretch. Another thought is that a potential duo of Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham duo likely wouldn't be a longstanding combination. This is because Armstead is an 11-year veteran who will turn 32 this season more than his play last season. As for selecting Graham, I don't know that there's all that much "risk or gamble" involved. He's considered a safe selection compared to other potential early selections in this draft. As safe as any selection, anyway.

Hilarious from Funnytown

Regarding insights from past coaches, "Sometimes in order to find out what you want, you first have to find out what you don't want." But the question about underrated bands got me thinking, tell me you have fond summer memories around Jacksonville with the sweet reggae sounds of Pili Pili in the background…

Your first thought references a recent O-Zone discussion regarding insights I've gained from head coaches and general managers I've covered in 30 NFL seasons. As for bands from Jacksonville, I – like anyone – have done my share of imbibing to the tunes of Pili Pili. And the Blaine Crews Band back in the day. And Pretty Boy Freud. And Slipped Mickey. And the Philters. And the Bush Doctors. And …

Bradford from Orange Park, FL

"Very possibly?" Yeah. 71 gets it. I'd like to think he bemoaned the vacancy of (actual) teal since it happened, as much of any of us.

I expect Boselli will lean a little more toward the traditional uniform than to any recent alternatives. I don't know that it has been foremost among his concerns in recent weeks. He has had "a lot on his plate" of late.

Robert from Elkton

I'd like to throw another consideration into the great line(man) vs great corner argument - sustainability. Think of the best defensive lines over the free agent age, and I think they were only ever "great" for two maybe three seasons. It takes a huge investment for the line - way more players and cap space than a single corner. Age, injuries, and contracts all take their toll lightning fast in the NFL and the more players involved, the more likely it fails. One lineman might still be great, but they can be game planned for if the rest aren't. So maybe having one investment in a perennial All-Pro, lock-down corner for 10 years shutting down a side would be better than a great line for two or three. Your thoughts?

This idea makes sense in theory, but it doesn't usually play out. This is because the elite, perennial lockdown corner usually isn't at that level for 10 seasons – and he also doesn't usually stay with one team for a decade. Think Darelle Revis and former Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Teams just rarely retain cornerbacks as cornerstones because positions along the lines and quarterback are build-around positions. Cornerback is slightly more of a luxury when making big salary-cap decisions.

Martin from Fernwood, OH

Fred Willard > Martin Mull? Didn't Happy Kyne go into a cheap hamburger joint and tell them "give me a hamburger and step on it?"

Happy did just that, if I recall correctly. And Fred Willard > most people who ever have tried to be funny, frankly.

Gator from Gainesville, FL

One anser one questun…. Anser-Under rated band Blind Melon. Questun - do you ever sit round and think bout how cool I am?

On occasion.

Longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette from Jacksonville

When does it end?

Wait? What?

Mark from Jacksonville

I'm bored. The draft can't get here soon enough.

There are slowish times and really slow times in every year's NFL calendar. The slowest time is typically after the offseason program and before training camp, five or six weeks that we here in the O-Zone call the "dead zone." This time between free agency and the draft isn't quite as dead but it's not as lively as the rest of the offseason. The reason it's slow is teams have done most of their first wave of the offseason (free agency) and are behind locked (and paranoid) doors prepping for the witch's brew that is the NFL Draft. It will liven up around these parts in a few weeks. Boy Howdy.

Anita from Springfield

I feel like Skattebo is about to be a force of nature in the NFL. #32 MoJo seems to agree in his RB rankings, but everyone else leaves him off their lists and view him as a very late pick. What is everyone else seeing that Pocket Hercules and I don't?

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo indeed is somewhat polarizing as the draft approaches. He reportedly ran a 4.57-second 40 at a private-ish workout Friday. That likely won't hurt his draft status much because few thought speed was a major strength. The guess here is some team will select him in the first two days of the draft(ish). But that's a guess. It's only a guess. Either way … one fer Skattebo – or a couple, actually.

Easy Ed in The Hammock from Jacksonville

Thought I would do some leg work for you. Alphabetically, starting with Cleveland and ending with Van Lanen: 6-6, 6-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, 6-5, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 6-5.

Jaguars 2025 Training Camp is scheduled to begin in late July.